Shuttle for a hand loom

ABSTRACT

A shuttle for a hand loom is formed from a blank to define a substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration with the central section adapted to have yarn wound thereon. The shuttle end portions are tapered and converge toward each other.

United States Patent [1 1 Stars [451 May 28, 1974 [73] Assignee: The Craftool Company, Inc.,

Woodridge, NJ.

[22] Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 338,202

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 149,236, May 2, 1971, Pat. No.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 334,320 1/1886 Wernicke 139/33 763,828 6/1904 Woodbury... 139/33 3,347,281 10/1967 Stars 139/29 Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon [5 7 ABSTRACT ,395. A shuttle for a hand 100m is formed from a blank to define a substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional config- [52] U.S. Cl. 139/29 ration with the central section adapted to have yarn [51] 1111. C1 D0311 29/00 wound thereon, The shuttle end portions are tapered [58] Fleld of Search 139/29/34, and converge toward each other.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 22 l8 l6 20 22 P l I l' l l HI I I4 I; I- t n {u 5 m hli F g Isl i I4 I I4 22 3! 45 DEQZ w/ M M 14 ll H Ill, NH". ||l| I "HM" l- HIT] M ml SHUTTLE FOR A HAND LOOM This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 149,236 filed June 2, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,738,395.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to shuttles and more particularly to a new and unique shuttle adapted for use particularly with hand looms.

Briefly, the shuttle is of one piece construction having a central portion about which yarn is wrapped. The portions at each end of the shuttle are tapered and converge towards each other. Yarn receiving slits are provided at each end of the central portion for retaining the ends of the yarn.

. One of the primary objects of the invention is the provision of a new and improved shuttle for use with hand looms.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved shuttle of simple, one piece construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent when considered in view of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a plan view of the form adapted to be folded into a shuttle arrangement designed for use with a hand loom;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shuttle arrangement after being folded from the form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2 of the shuttle arrangement and illustrating the substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the shuttle arrangement of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shuttle of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The shuttle is adapted for use with hand looms such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,738,395 and is formed from a blank or form 12. The form 12 is relatively flat and preferably formed of plastic material. The form 12 includes two tapered portions l4, 14 at each end.

The blank or form 12 is folded or deformed along lines 16 and 18, FIG. I, to define a shuttle having a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration as shown by FIG. 3. The two pointed or tapered portions 14 at each end of the shuttle, when folded, converge toward each other to form a tapered end section which facilitates insertion of the shuttle through a shed formed by the warp yarns of a hand loom.

The shuttle central portion 20 is adapted to have a supply of yarn, not shown, wrapped thereabout longitudinally of the shuttle with the inner end of the yarn being retained within slits 22 at each end of the central portion 20. The end portions 14 serve to retain yarn upon the shuttle 10.

The shuttle length may vary but preferably has a length generally corresponding to the width of the warp of a hand loom the shuttle is being used in conjunction with. The weaver turns the shuttle to unwind yarn therefrom by pulling the yarn between adjacent portions 14 as the weft yarn is needed during a weaving operation.

I claim:

1. A shuttle for retaining yarn thereon for use in combination with a hand loom comprising, an elongated central portion, having a Z-shaped cross sectional configuration, for supporting yarn thereon and tapered end sections provided at each end of said central portion, each of said end sections being formed of tapered, converging portions.

2. A shuttle as recited in claim 1, said elongated central portion having a slit in each end adjacent said tapered end sections for receiving yarn therein, said central portion and said tapered, converging portions being of integral construction.

3. A shuttle as recited in claim I wherein said elongated central portion and said end sections are of integral construction.

4. A shuttle as recited in claim 3 wherein said shuttle is formed of plastic material.

5. A shuttle as recited in claim 1, wherein said central section is adapted to have yarn wrapped thereabout, and said central section is provided with means for retaining an end of the yarn.

6. A shuttle for retaining yarn thereon for use in combination with a hand loom comprising, an elongated central portion having a generally Z-shaped crosssectional configuration, for supporting yarn thereon and a tapered end section provided at each end of said central portion, said end sections being integral with said central section. 

1. A shuttle for retaining yarn thereon for use in combination with a hand loom comprising, an elongated central portion, having a Z-shaped cross sectional configuration, for supporting yarn thereon and tapered end sections provided at each end of said central portion, each of said end sections being formed of tapered, converging portions.
 2. A shuttle as recited in claim 1, said elongated central portion having a slit in each end adjacent said tapered end sections for receiving yarn therein, said central portion and said tapered, converging portions being of integral construction.
 3. A shuttle as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated central portion and said end sections are of integral construction.
 4. A shuttle as recited in claim 3 wherein said shuttle is formed of plastic material.
 5. A shuttle as recited in claim 1, wherein said central section is adapted to have yarn wrapped thereabout, and said central section is provided with means for retaining an end of the yarn.
 6. A shuttle for retaining yarn thereon for use in combination with a hand loom comprising, an elongated central portion having a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, for supporting yarn thereon and a tapered end section provided at each end of said central portion, said end sections being integral with said central section. 